Chamber to host Economic Forecast program at its January breakfast

Regional Economic Advisor Gary Wagner of Federal Reserve Bank of Philly presents forecast

Gary A. Wagner, Regional Economic Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, will present an Economic Forecast program during the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting on Jan. 15 at Berkleigh Golf Club, 14623 Kutztown Road, Kutztown.

The breakfast program is sponsored by Fleetwood Bank. Doors openat 7:30 a.m.

Wagner is responsible for conducting research on emerging regional economic issues and managing legislative outreach for the Bank’s Third District, which includes eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware. Wagner also delivers presentations about the national and regional economy, monetary policy, and the role of the Federal Reserve System. His research interests range from regional economics to state and local public tax structures and from rainy day funds to borrowing costs and pension systems.

Before joining the Philadelphia Fed in 2015, Wagner was a professor of economics at Old Dominion University in Virginia. Previously, he was on the faculties at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Duquesne University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has authored or coauthored more than 40 articles and reports, many of which have appeared in leading journals such as The Journal of Law and Economics, National Tax Journal, Public Choice, and Economics & Politics. He received Duquesne University’s College of Business Distinguished Research Award, as well as Public Finance Review’s Outstanding Paper Award. From 2013 to 2015, Wagner had been a respondent to the Philadelphia Fed’s Survey of Professional Forecasters, the oldest quarterly survey of macroeconomic forecasts in the United States. He is also a member of the National Tax Association.

Wagner has a doctoral degree in economics from West Virginia University and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Youngstown State University.

Prior to the Economic Forecast program, the chamber will hold its Annual Meeting of Chamber Members at 7:45 a.m. Recognition of outgoing officers, directors, and committee chairs, as well as introduction of new Board members will be among the agenda items presented during the Annual Business Meeting.

The mission of Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce is to bearesource andavoice for its members (and those who are not yet members) in Northeast Berks County.

Register for the breakfast online at www.northeastberkschamber.com or by phone at 610-683-8860. Discounted advance registration available or pay at the door.

Visit www.northeastberkschamber.com for more information about the benefits of membership, or contact Lori B. Donofrio-Galley, Executive Director, at 610383-8860.